(St. Paul, Minn.)--November 7, 2011--Classical MPR announced today the second annual Minnesota Varsity: a program to showcase the best young Minnesota classical musicians. The program will accept submissions November 7, 2011-January 19, 2012.

To participate in Minnesota Varsity, music students ages 14-18 (grades 9th-12th) from around the state are asked to submit a recording of themselves performing. Classical and music theater vocalists, instrumental soloists and small ensembles are all welcome to submit recordings.

"With our second year, we're quickly establishing Minnesota Varsity as the high school music event of the year," said Daniel Gilliam, program director, Classical MPR. "We're getting very excited about what we'll hear and see this year."

Classical MPR staff will screen all submissions and choose 15 for the Featured Round. Those chosen for the Featured Round will be matched with a professional recording engineer to produce a high-quality recording. These recordings will then be broadcast throughout March 2012 on Classical MPR--on air and online.

Then, a panel of celebrity judges--including Stephen Copes, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra concertmaster, Beverly Everett, Bemidji Symphony Orchestra music director, and Aaron Humble, tenor with Cantus--will choose five performers to be Showcase Artists. They will be asked to perform at MPR's Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul on April 29, 2012, for a live theater and radio broadcast--where the audience members will get to vote live for their favorite performer. All five Showcase Artist groups will receive a $1,000 prize, thanks to an anonymous gift from a generous MPR donor.

Submissions to Minnesota Varsity: All rules and information will be posted online at classicalmpr.org/varsity starting November 7, 2011. Submissions will be accepted November 7, 2011-January 19, 2012.

Featured Artists Broadcast on Classical MPR:
The professional MPR recordings of the selected Featured Artists will be broadcast throughout March 2012 on all Classical MPR stations.

Minnesota Varsity Showcase Artists concert: Sunday, April 29, 4 p.m. at MPR's The Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul
During the event, audience members and radio listeners (via web) will have the chance to vote for a "Popular Favorite," who will be named at the end of the show.
Tickets: Admission is free and open to the public.